End-Stage Chemotherapy Often Not Beneficial

By Staff

US Pharm. 2015;40(8):HS11.

New York, NY—According to a study published online by JAMA Oncology, chemotherapy for patients with end-stage cancer was associated with worse quality of life near death for patients with a good ability to still perform many life functions. Weill Cornell Medical College and New York Presbyterian Hospital researchers examined the association between chemotherapy use and quality of life near death as a function of performance status in 312 patients with progressive metastatic cancer. Not only did chemotherapy not benefit patients regardless of performance status, it appeared most harmful to those with good performance status. The study concluded that American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines regarding chemotherapy use in patients with terminal cancer may need to be revised to recognize the potential harm of chemotherapy use in patients with progressive metastatic disease.